Dr. Vaden at North Carolina State University, heads a program to research the syndrome of protein wasting diseases (PLN/PLE) in Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers. The objective of the research program, as stated on the NCSU website, is the following:

• To determine the early manifestations of the protein losing syndrome so that affected dogs can be recognized earlier,
• To determine the mode of inheritance of this syndrome soe that effective breeding programs can be designed that will eliminate this syndrome,
• To investigate the pathogenesis of this disease,
• To design effective treatment protocols for affected dogs.

Dr. Vaden began research in 1995 with a grant from the AKC Canine Health Foundation and established a colony of affected Wheatens, followed by Wheaten/Beagle mixes. Wheagles are Wheaten/Beagle mixes; the cross between an affected Wheaten site and a Beagle dam. Wheatens were crossed with Beagles for the purpose of determining the mode in inheritance, as there were no known cases of protein wasting disease in Beagles. To date, Dr. Vaden has been able to do dietary management studies, Fecal API, MA testing in addition to her work on the Mode of 5 Wheatens and 6 Wheagles in the colony. The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America Endowment Board has pledged to support these dogs at NC State so that she can continue the research.

Dr. Vaden describes her plans as follows: "We will continue to evaluate the general health status of the dogs through evaluation of biochemical panels, complete blood counts, urinalyses, urine protein/creatinine ratios, Fecal API concentrations, and fecal floatations every 3 months. They will have abdominal ultrasound performed once yearly. This will also allow for use to detect late onset of PLE/PLN in any of these dogs. It is imperative that we know the status of these dogs if we are to further elucidate the mode of inheritance. Once the dogs become ill from this disease or other geriatric diseases, they will have post-mortem examinations performed. The analysis of the tissues will have a cost associated with it." The cost associated with the maintenance of the colony dogs will average $2,000 a year over the rest of their lives.

Sam is one of the Wheagles and has been adopted by Pacific Northwest Petnic. We will be responsible for raising $2,000 a year to support Sam in the colony for the next 5 years.

Please, read more about the colony.